San Diego is one of the top options for a surf vacation in California, mainly because of the vareity of waves ranging from beginner to advanced. The stretch of coast between Baja Mexico at Tijuana and Orange County at San Clemente includes some of the most famous surfing spots in the U.S.  Swami’s is one such surfing destination where you can book a hotel room in Encinitas, Del Mar or Solana Beach, and be on your way to one of the most memorable trips of your life.  International tourists visit and check out because of the consistent waves, but also because of the surfers, themselves. San Diego surf culture is like no other and while Californians take it for granted, visitors recognize and see the unique aspects to the people and the lifestyle. Surfboards, surf apparel, and even the surfing road signs all make a statement that you’ve arrived in surf city.

la costa resort

Carlsbad, Calif.–When a neighbor knocked on our door and asked us to watch their family’s house for the weekend, we asked where they were going for the weekend.  “LaCosta Resort,” came back the reply. For those who know San Diego’s north county region, you’ll be fully aware that La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, home to Legoland California. And in short order Legoland has grown, adding two additional attractions –Sea Life Aquarium, which opened last year, and Legoland Water Park, which opened in the summer 2010.  Geared toard toddlers, youngsters and pre-teens, Legoland is a weekend unto itself, and ideal for our neighbors with children no older than six.

La Costa Resort is a place where adults don’t have to compromise their vacations for the needs of the children. In addition to a fantastic swimming pool near the PGA ranked golf course at the resort, La Costa accesses Legoland, Carlsbad beaches, and is only a thirty minute drive from San Diego Wild Animal Park.

It’s likely our neighbors went to Carlsbad to enjoy the resort and Legoland on their three-day trip. La Costa Resort is among the top two places to stay on Legoland vacations. Highly recommended if you don’t mind paying a bit more.

Part of the fun in travel is the unexpected. You just never know what you’re going to see in California. But you especially don’t know what you’re going to see in San Diego, either. A cool cat with a smile worked his way through a tune on one of the SD piers (San Diego has a couple piers–Oceanside, Imperial Beach, Ocean Beach, and Crystal Pier) and without even a cup to catch some coins or cash, people started looking for a place to drop their money in approval. You’ll see this sort of thing in practically any city, but in San Diego, the sun glistens on the water and everything seems hotter, including the music.  San Diego has some excellent night clubs where you can catch the music scene.

It’s easy to fall in love with the North County city of Oceanside. It’s warm weather, inviting atmosphere, friendly people, and value for your stay all make it the overlooked, but well worth the trip vacation. Long known as the city that supports Cample Pendleton next door, Oceanside has much more to offer than its old-fashioned values. The feeling of stepping into a time warp is one element of your surprise when you arrive, but another is the array of activities that you can participate in and enjoy, often just by walking once you park your car. Whether you hop on the train passing through and head for the cities of San Diego or Los Angles, or you just spend your time exploring the beach and pier in Oceanside, you have your work cut out for you. Give it a rest by kicking back with a lounge chair at the beach. Oceanside is the place where you truly feel you’ve given yourself tiime to reconnect with the real world–sunshine, sipping cocktails and maybe even surfing.

Crystal Pier San Diego

San Diego’s Crystal Pier is located at Pacific Beach. It is a wooden pier with some cute little cottages located on it. They are rented by a private company and are normally booked far in advance of a stay. You’re not missing a thing when you find out you can stay at hotels with ocean views overlooking the Crystal Pier and Pacific Beach.  Available for your visit is a handful of hotels at Pacific Beach known for its surfing, beach fun, and eclectic beach restaurants.

Sports are big here, as well. Surfing, swimming, beach, running, jogging, walking kite flying, and  sand castle building are a few strenuous to easy activities to get your body moving. As beaches go, Pacific Beach is surrounded by Mission Beach to the south, and La Jolla beaches to the north.  There are some volleyball courts to play a game, and the little souvenir shops sells paddle ball sets, Frisbees, and other balls and toys for games.

Hotels near the Crystal Pier include Diamond Head.

Blue Sea Lodge

Blue Sea Lodge on the beach at Pacific Beach sits next door to the Surfer Beach Hotel. Both are located in the heart of PB’s dining, surfing, and beach hub. Within view of both hotels are more hotels near the Crystal Pier,  a unique wooden structure that artfully frames the bay views all the way to the hills skirting the edge of town and heading into La Jolla.

Blue Sea Lodge is one of the favorite California beach hotels in San Diego, known for year-round beach fun. While other Southern California hotels tend to lose their crowds, San Diego’s tourism holds strong even into the winter months. The word is out that the weather remains fine (even better than summer), hotel prices tend to drop, and the sunshine is out.

The Blue Sea Lodge includes ocean view and rooms without the ocean scene out your door that tend to cost a bit less. You can walk along the strand outside your hotel, and dine at beach-style restaurants serving, burgers, fish, chicken and a variety of menu items that adults and kids love.  One thing you may grow to love about San Diego is its casual style. Nine times out of ten you can dine at even the best restaurants with jeans, and a jacket. San Diego is one of the most relaxing cities to visit and it’s just one more reason to make this beach hotel your next stop on a vacation that gets you back to the basics.

Blue Sea Lodge can be easily accessed a short drive from Interstate 5 Freeway, or from the San Diego Airport. Taxis are plentiful, too. When you get your bearings, you can even hop on public buses outside the hotel at a bus stop. Locals love their public transportation and they ride it a lot. They also can tell you some tips on getting around.

Blue Sea Lodge prices are quite nice.

San Diego surfer hotel

Surfer Beach Hotel is a San Diego hotel on the beach smack dab in the heart of San Diego’s fun loving Pacific Beach. The only thing that separates you from the sand is a cement walkway or strand, a boardwalk of constant activity with bicyclers, roller bladers, joggers and pedestrians enjoying this sunny side of the street.

Hotels on the beach in San Diego are more plentiful than any other California destination and this neighborhood of the city of San Diego features not one but several such beaches. Hotels along this part of the beach include Best Western Blue Sea Lodge, Ocean Park Inn and

Check out the Surfer Beach Hotel rates and available rooms.

Pacific Beach boardwalk

There’s a lot of argument over what’s the best San Diego beaches. Locals have definite opinions and you aren’t going to be able to convince them otherwise about their choices. But as tourists, we look for a few things special to our cause: 1. Hotels at beaches in San Diego. 2. Restaurants at beaches in San Diego. 3. Clean beaches and fun activities. 4. A lively beach vibe.  5. Location, location, San Diego beach location.

Here’s my Best San Diego Beach List based on nothing but the criteria above. My number one favorite beach is Pacific Beach, mainly because it has hotels on the beach.  Overlooking the beach and bay, it has a nice stretch of sand and friendly Crystal Pier. There are great beach view restaurants, bars,  a Banana hostel, shopping, Starbucks grocery stores… you name it.

When I go to San Diego and stay on the beach I pick three spots. My first choice is The Catamaran Hotel at Pacific Beach. There are a handful of great hotels, including Best Western and Surfer’s Hotel.

I also love Mission Bay and the Hilton Resort on the bay. It used to be my first choice, but now it’s dropped in position because of the price points for a stay. It usually is a little more than Catamaran.

Third and never last is Coronado Island’s Loews Coronado Bay Resort. While the beach is a walk through a tunnel under the coast highway, there’s kind of a resort feel to the beaches there, and the hotel itself is an oasis of resort living with tennis courts, pools, spas, etc.

The next time your picking your San Diego beach vacation, you might also want to check my Californiabeaches.com features on San Diego.

Oceanside Wyndham

When you visit Oceanside and see the new Wyndham overlooking the Oceanside Pier from atop a hill, it’s a breath of fresh air. The setting is similar to a hotel that currently is charging close to three time more for a similar room in Santa Monica, but between you and me, I actually prefer Oceanside. With more expansive beaches, less traffic, and a laid back beach vibe that rolls you back to the 60′s, Oceanside is still that hidden gem you wish you could freeze in time so that it will never change.

The moment I arrived in town and stopped at the California Welcome Center, I was blown away by the friendly staff and amazing help. I’ve been to 6 California Welcome Centers throughout the state and none rival this place for people going out of their way to assist your needs. Make it your first stop off the Interstate 5 if you want to get some maps, tips, and great advice.

Oceanside is the northernmost San Diego County beach city buffered by Camp Pendleteon. A mix between a surfer town, retirement community, military community, and family destination, Oceanside is easy to fall in love with.

The Wyndham is fairly new and it has views. When you add that to the amazingly low prices, you have a winning combo not to be beat! This is the dream situation, and beach location.

Wyndham Oceanside Pier Prices

Pacific Beach is San Diego’s pleasure beach and one of the best spots to book a hotel. An eclectic mix of surfers, shoppers, tourists conventioneers, and day-trippers all clamor for the flavor of “PB”. As you wander its boardwalk you can smell burgers, steaks and fish form grills and restaurants along the strand cooking their flavorful dishes with ocean view settings that make dining pure pleasure.

Along this beach boardwalk is Diamond Head in at Pacific Beach. Many rooms are view rooms and best of all, from any room you need only step out your hotel door and onto the sand practically. Watch surfers who find love this spot, go eat, or take a walk. Head down to Belmont Park and have yourself a fun time with kids, or without.

While we love the Catamaran and the Blue Sea Lodge, both nearby, Diamond Head Inn offers affordable vacations and a great location that provides a winning combo for all seeking a getaway on the sand. The hotel overlooks Pacific Beach and the unique Crystal Pier.

When you go: Bring beach towels, sunblock and some walking shoes. There are lots of great neighborhood shops to explore around Pacific Beach.

Diamond Head Inn Prices